If it still did it when you got back from a journey where the engine has been running for any length of time at normal temperature, I doubt it’s the mounts as they get very hot. I’m not trying to undermine or trivialise your report, I’m just trying to apply some logic. I don’t know if your dealer is speculating or genuinely feeding back from Mazda but there is a big opportunity for Chinese whispers.
The vehicle did this for the entire 45 minute drive home from the airport. There was a cold snap here at the time and temperatures were hovering around -25C during the day. The following day temperatures were still in the -25C range and the car exhibited the same vibration issues. By Monday the temperature rose to a balmy -14C and all symptoms went away and haven't returned, nor has the -25C temperatures.
As far as I know there were few changes between the 2016 and 2017 CX-5s. One of the changes was to introduce hydraulic engine mounts. The 2016 CX-5s do not have this issue. Frozen engine mounts would produce the type of vibrations some of us 2017 owners are experiencing in sub -20C temperatures. I'm not a mechanic so maybe it's not the engine mounts, but just looking at what changed between 2016/2017 and what could cause these temperature related vibration issues seems to narrow the field quite a bit.
Below is my verbatim conversation with a Mazda rep (I redacted my name) via their Facebook page. You'll note that they did not disabuse me of my belief that the engine mounts were the problem.
"Hello,
We recently purchased a 2017 Mazda CX-5 GT late last year. As you may be aware, we recently had a cold snap here in Ontario. Our new CX-5 suddenly became almost unbearable to drive in the -20C~-25C temperatures we had. Very rough idle, excessive engine noise in the cabin, and vibration strong enough between 1500 RPM to 2000 RPM to make the rear view mirrors go blurry with shaking and cause interior trim pieces to start resonating. Once the temperatures warmed up this week the vehicle returned to normal.
After getting in touch with several other 2017 CX-5 owners here in Canada via a forum, we are all experiencing the same issue when temperatures drop below -20C. It is my understanding that for the 2017 CX-5s Mazda changed the engine mounts to hydraulic mounts and that these go hard in colder temperatures, leading to the dramatic increase in noise and vibration.
Is Mazda aware of this issue? If so, what is the planned resolution to this issue and when can we expect it to me implemented?
JAN 12TH, 10:22AM
Hi XXXX. We are aware of the situation and are working on a solution. We apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced, but be sure that this is not a safety issue and that the vehicle is safe to drive. Have you already visited a dealer?
JAN 12TH, 1:10PM
Hi,
I was going to make an appointment but it warmed up on Monday and the issue went away. After discussing it with other 2017 CX-5 owners on a Mazda forum I learned what the issue is and that there is nothing the dealer can do until Mazda comes out with a fix.
JAN 12TH, 3:47PM
We are currently collecting a log of issues experienced by consumers while we try to find a fix. We also want to confirm that the problem is caused by this issue and not something specific to only that vehicle.
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